Deacon’s role during Interim

When a parish goes into interim, the deacon’s role changes dramatically. The deacon usually stays without contract through the period when there is no priest and assists during the interim period. The interim can send the deacon packing, but most are more than grateful to have someone who knows the parish assist with this sometimes painful period of change.

From part of a team to help the parish function, the deacon becomes the eyes and ears of the bishop. If the bishop or any of his staff has given any specific instructions to the parish, the deacon sees that those instructions are carried out. He is responsible to see that the parish functions according to the canons during the period that the parish has only a supply priest to celebrate Eucharists and report any problems to the vestry or bishop.

While the wardens and vestry run the parish business and social endeavors, the deacon helps keep the parish prayer life going until an interim is appointed. Once the interim is appointed, the deacon works with the interim and other parish family members to complete the historical tasks and self review tasks of the interim period.

As the interim helps the parish family find their own spiritual voice without Fr. Jim, the deacon assists wherever necessary. The deacon is also responsible for retraining any of the groups surrounding the parish liturgical life so that new duties brought on by changes in the liturgy are accomplished as seamlessly as possible. By canon, he trains or supervises those who train the Eucharistic visitors, altar guild, acolytes, ushers, and greeters. The old saying that the priest plans and the deacon sees that it happens is replaced by the liturgy committee cooperating with the interim plans and the deacon sees it through. Then, they all report back to the vestry during interim.

The deacon traditionally assumes the responsibility for the parish inventory which is handed to the new vicar once he or she is called. The deacon can take a hands on approach, just see that the committee is appointed to do the inventory, or supervise the entire process. Under the inventory the deacon often earns his reputation for dust disturber. This is a hands on inventory in which not only are items checked to see their usefulness, photographed and a value placed on everything. Those items which have been kept with no purpose or which have outlived their usefulness are often discarded. If items are missing that the parish needs to function, the deacon can recommend to the vestry that the items be obtained.

This is part of the reason why a deacon is sometimes placed in a new ministry when a new vicar comes because people get upset when their favorite item from their childhood or a memorial which is no longer functional is discarded. So the deacon moves to a new position and the vicar starts out with a clean slate with the parish family. At no time does the deacon ever gain any personal authority, the deacon always acts under the auspices of the bishop or the interim. And, at no time does the deacon take any part in the calling of an interim or vicar for the parish family.